Dublin: Ireland grappled with the aftermath of Storm Kathleen as it swept across the nation, leaving a trail of chaos in its wake. The onslaught of powerful winds and torrential rain brought life to a partial standstill, with widespread electricity outages and communication disruptions reported in various counties.
Approximately 100 flights were cancelled, and transportation networks faced significant disruptions as fallen trees obstructed railways and blocked roads, impeding travel across affected regions. The storm inflicted substantial damage, plunging over 34,000 homes and businesses into darkness, with restoration efforts ongoing for thousands still without power.
Yellow weather alerts remained in place for Donegal, Mayo, West Galway, Waterford, and Wexford, cautioning residents against hazardous conditions until the early hours of the morning. Counties Mayo, Galway, Kerry, and Cork bore the brunt of the storm’s fury, prompting an orange alert from the Met Office.
The ESB issued apologies for the inconvenience caused and assured swift action to rectify faults, urging the public to report any hazardous incidents, such as broken power lines, immediately call 1800 372 999. Flight operations were severely impacted, with numerous cancellations and diversions as adverse weather conditions rendered travel unsafe.
Railway services faced disruptions, with a fallen tree near Monasterevin halting train operations to and from Houston station, causing delays for commuters. The crisis management team issued warnings, emphasising the importance of exercising extreme caution to mitigate risks to life and property.
While efforts to clear debris and restore normalcy at airports were underway, ferry services were also cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Fallen trees obstructed traffic on several roads, stranding commuters and disrupting flow in various areas, including Killarney and Kerry.
Despite challenges posed by Storm Kathleen, authorities remained vigilant, urging passengers to stay updated on flight statuses and advising residents to exercise caution until conditions stabilised. The resilience of communities was put to the test, highlighting the need for preparedness and swift response in the face of natural disasters.
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